Page:Danish fairy and folk tales.djvu/194

 the clock. No attention was paid to this offer, however, and when it was repeated he received a sharp rebuke. As his master looked more and more dejected he offered his services for the third time, and was finally allowed to make the trial; moreover, he was given a room by himself in order that he might remain undisturbed.

When he had been working for some time his master entered to see how he was getting on. "Look, master!" said the young man, "these are the drawings for the clock. The plans are ready, so that the real work can begin." "Let me see once," replied his master, putting on his glasses. He looked from the floor to the ceiling, and back again, and wherever he looked he saw the most singular figures and drawings. "Yes," he said, at length, "this looks well enough," whereupon he walked away. When he stepped into the room, a month later, the apprentice said to him: "All the wheels and other pieces are now ready; when they have been put together the clock is finished." He showed him all these things, and his master could not help thinking, "What will come of it all?" He said nothing, however, but only nodded, and hastened away.

A short time afterwards he returned. At the door he was met by his apprentice, who said: "Now, master, the clock is finished, and we will try it!" "Yes," answered the old man, eagerly; "let us try it!" The clock was placed on the